As you may know, Africa Love and its foundation, Da’African Village, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in California and Nevada, host a weekly drum class led by the Drum Doctor, Mr. Kenneth Brown II a.k.a. Yemesi, that is geared toward drum-lovers of all ages and experience levels.
You can focus on improving your drum skills with the Africa Love team during the weekly classes that are held at Africa Love on Fridays at 6 p.m. Or, you can join the gang on the first Saturday of each month for a monthly drum circle, which is held at Town Square Las Vegas Park from 6 – 8 p.m. during the summer months, and from 5 – 7 p.m. during the winter. While the weekly classes are a private experience, the drum circles are open to a broader audience. You can find people, and drums, of all colors, shapes, and sizes gathered together. The powerful sounds of the African drum, more specifically, the Djembe can be heard all throughout Town Square.
What’s so important about the Djembe?
The thing is, the Djembe has been an intrinsic part of African culture for centuries and generations.
When you visit the drum circle in Town Square, the western cultural understanding of drums is evident – we enjoy it for entertainment. While being entertained is always fun, it is equally important to understand that the Djembe was originally created as a sacred drum.
The Djembe was used in healing ceremonies, rites of passage, ancestral worship, warrior rituals, as well as social dances. Even the creation of a Djembe drum is sacred. It is believed that the drum holds the spirit of its maker; the wood of the body, the skin of the drum head and the workmanship of the artist who made the drum.
When all three are in harmony, they create the powerful sounds that move you and I. The drummer is able to connect with him or herself, to those around, and to nature. The drum circles and drum classes are more than just a group of drummers playing for entertainment. By playing together, we’re creating a powerful environment in unity.
To play the Djembe is truly an honor.
Alexia B is a 24-year-old, down-to-earth, Capricorn, who is pursuing a degree in psychology at UNLV. She is also a freelance writer who has a passion for content creation.